Scotland manager Steve Clarke expressed both relief and disappointment after his team's rollercoaster night in Athens ended with their World Cup qualification hopes remarkably intact.
Crazy Night in Piraeus
In what Clarke described as "a crazy game and a crazy night", Scotland found themselves staring at World Cup elimination when they trailed Greece 3-0 after just over an hour in Piraeus. The Scots made a disastrous start, conceding the opening goal after only seven minutes and struggling to find their rhythm throughout the first half.
Despite creating several opportunities either side of halftime, Scotland's wastefulness in front of goal appeared costly when Greece extended their lead to three goals. However, the match took a dramatic turn when Ben Gannon-Doak scored his first international goal to spark an unlikely comeback.
Ryan Christie then headed home a second to set up a frantic finale, with Scotland pushing hard for an equaliser that would have capped one of the most remarkable turnarounds in recent memory.
Danish Slip-Up Saves Scottish Blushes
While Scotland ultimately fell short in Greece, their World Cup aspirations received an unexpected lifeline from Copenhagen. Denmark could only manage a 2-2 draw against Belarus, a result that means Scotland can still win their qualifying group with victory against the Danes at Hampden on Tuesday.
Clarke acknowledged his team's fortune, stating: "We got a lucky break, Belarus got a result in Denmark and that gives us everything to play for on Tuesday." The manager also pointed to the significance of Scotland's earlier victory against Belarus, which had drawn criticism from fans but now appears crucial to their qualification hopes.
Defensive Concerns Ahead of Decider
Despite the positive outcome, both Clarke and captain Andy Robertson expressed concerns about Scotland's defensive performance. Robertson admitted: "We cannot concede three goals, that's hugely disappointing." The Liverpool defender added that while the attacking play produced eight or nine clear chances, the defensive work fell well below required standards.
Clarke described his team's slow start as uncharacteristic, particularly their vulnerability to long balls over the top. "That is very unlike us," he noted. "Hopefully that's just a one-off tonight because it's not normally an area where we struggle."
Ryan Christie provided a mixed assessment of the evening's events, describing the second half as potentially "the best we've played in the last 18 months" from an attacking perspective. The goalscorer reflected on the "strange mix of emotions" following a defeat that somehow felt like a victory given events elsewhere.
The stage is now set for a blockbuster winner-takes-all clash at Hampden on Tuesday night, where Scotland know victory against Denmark would secure automatic qualification for the World Cup. Clarke praised his players for never giving up in Greece and deserving their shot at glory in front of their home supporters.
